DE102021212228A1 - Driven fan for vehicle wheel brake - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan (20) for a wheel brake (14) of a vehicle, the fan (20) comprising: - a coupling part (22) for coupling the fan (20) to the vehicle; - a blade arrangement (26) which is rotatable relative to the coupling part (22) to generate an air flow (A); and - a drive unit (30) for rotating the blade assembly (26). A method of operating such a fan is also disclosed.

Description

The invention relates to a fan, a vehicle wheel assembly and a method for operating a fan for a wheel brake of a vehicle.

It is known to equip the wheels of a vehicle with wheel brakes, each of which can brake one of the wheels. Examples are disc brakes or drum brakes, as they are used e.g. B. be used in cars or trucks.

In the case of disc brakes in particular, considerable braking noise can be radiated into the environment when the brake is actuated. For example, high squeaking noises can occur from time to time, which impair driving comfort. The main causes of squeaking noises are friction and relative movement between the brake pads and the brake disc, which causes the brake disc and other brake and axle components to vibrate.

So far, attempts have often been made to reduce the emission of brake noise by selecting suitable materials and adapting the design, for example of the brake pads or the brake disc. An example can be found in DE 10 2018 216346 A . It is also known to modify other components of the wheel brake or the wheel axle to which the wheel is connected.

The adaptation of the design of existing components of a wheel brake, z. B. the brake pads, is not possible in every case, as this can lead to disadvantages in other component properties such as volume, weight or costs. Even if some improvement can be achieved with the existing solutions, there is still scope for further reduction of brake noise emissions.

It is therefore an object of the invention to limit the emission of brake noise from vehicle wheel brakes.

This object is solved by the subject matter according to the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the description and in the dependent claims.

• - ein Kopplungsteil zum Koppeln des Gebläses mit dem Fahrzeug;
• - eine Schaufelanordnung, die relativ zu dem Kopplungsteil drehbar ist, um einen Luftstrom zu erzeugen; und
• - eine Antriebseinheit zum Drehen der Schaufelanordnung.

Accordingly, a fan for a wheel brake of a vehicle is disclosed, the fan comprising:

• - a coupling part for coupling the blower to the vehicle;
• - a vane arrangement which is rotatable relative to the coupling part in order to generate an air flow; and
• - a drive unit for rotating the vane assembly.

With such a fan, it is possible to at least partially dampen, disperse or cancel out brake noises that have already been generated and are emitted by the wheel brake into the area surrounding the vehicle. The blower can contribute in particular to reducing airborne noise. It can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to known component changes with which the generation of brake noise is to be prevented from the outset.

The present disclosure thus relates to a new strategy for limiting brake noise emissions, which opens up new possibilities for improvement and can enable less extensive changes to existing brake components. The solution presented here can be retrofitted to existing wheel brakes, for example.

The fan can be arranged next to, opposite and/or opposite the wheel brake. You can rotate in a plane that runs parallel to a brake disc of the wheel brake. It can rotate in a plane that extends at an angle to a vertical (spatial) plane, the angle for example having a value between 2° and 10°, in particular between 2° and 5°. Additionally or alternatively, at least some of the blades may be at an angle to a vertical (spatial) plane, the angle being e.g. B. has a value between 3 ° and 8 °. In general, an axis of rotation of the fan may be parallel to or coincide with an axis of rotation of the wheel and/or a brake disk of the wheel brake. A space between the fan and in particular its blade arrangement and the wheel brake can preferably be free of other components or obstacles that could block the air flow generated. A corresponding arrangement of the fan near the wheel brake is efficient for dissipating brake noise.

In addition to reducing brake noise, the solution presented here can also contribute to better cooling of the wheel brake and limit the emission of brake dust. This is because the air flow generated can, for example, cool a brake disk of the wheel brake and/or prevent brake dust from being released into the environment. According to the exemplary embodiments explained below, the fan can instead collect at least part of the brake dust, e.g. B. Has adhesive surfaces to which the brake dust adheres. Additionally or alternatively, the blower can blow at least part of the brake dust to a dust collection container or a dust collection surface in the vicinity of the wheel brake or in the vicinity thereof by the generated air flow.

The fan can be rotated by the drive unit at at least one defined speed. The airflow generated can help limit brake noise emissions by dissipating and/or disrupting the sound waves generated during braking. For example, it can dampen the movements of the compressed air layers and cause squeaking noises.

The at least one rotational speed may be selected based on simulation and/or experimentation to achieve a desired brake noise reduction. In general, it is preferable to drive the fan so that it produces harmonic noise that is not objectionable to the driver.

The drive unit can provide a driving force and/or a drive torque independently of other drive units and independent of movements of other components of the vehicle. In other words, the fan may be independently rotatable (e.g., independent of the rest of the vehicle). It can thus form an independent and/or autonomously driven unit that can be retrofitted into existing vehicles.

The drive unit can be at least one electric motor or consist of one. A rotatable part of the engine may be connected to the vane assembly. A non-rotatable portion of the motor may be connected to the coupling portion (which may generally be non-rotatable). The drive unit may comprise a control unit, e.g. B. at least one processor (z. B. a CPU or a microprocessor) contains. The controller can control the rotation of the vane assembly and in particular maintain a desired rotation speed.

The drive unit and in particular its optional control unit can be connected to a data bus and/or to at least one other vehicle control unit. In this way, the drive unit can determine or receive a signal that the brakes are being actuated. Likewise, the drive unit can determine or be signaled in this way any of the vehicle parameters discussed here.

The drive unit may include a stop or brake function to prevent unwanted rotations of the fan, e.g. B. Passive rotations caused by an air flow during operation. In the case of an optional folding bucket assembly configuration (see below), such a braking function may not be required.

The vane assembly may include at least one vane and preferably multiple vanes. These can be arranged at equal distances from each other. In other words, the blades can be evenly distributed around an axis of rotation of the fan. The blades can be flat, elongate elements. They form a closed area. Alternatively, they can also have slits, openings or holes. The surface of the blades can be smooth. Alternatively, it can also be textured (i.e. not smooth), e.g. B. having a distribution of shape elements such as local projections or local depressions, or by being corrugated. This can increase the desired noise canceling effect.

The coupling part can, for. B. comprise or be a connecting sleeve or a connecting socket. It can be mechanically attached to the vehicle, e.g. B. by screwing, welding or gluing. An inside (specifically, an inner peripheral surface) of the coupling part may contact the vehicle component to which the blower is attached. An outer side (in particular an outer peripheral surface) can be connected to the drive unit, in particular to a non-rotatable part thereof.

Overall, the blower presented here is characterized by a compact and lightweight design, which is associated with low costs.

• - einem Rad oder einer Radnabe des Fahrzeugs;
• - einem drehbaren Bauteil der Radbremse, insbesondere einer Bremsscheibe.

According to another embodiment, the drive unit may be arranged to drive (ie, rotate) the vane assembly at a speed different from the speed of at least one of the following:

• - a wheel or wheel hub of the vehicle;
• - A rotatable component of the wheel brake, in particular a brake disc.

This embodiment thus emphasizes that rotation of the blade arrangement is independent of z. B. the driving condition of the vehicle can be generated. This is different than (theoretically) attaching a fan to one of the above components so that the fan rotates with it. Much more the now possible independent rotation allows an optimal speed to be set in order to achieve the desired noise suppression independently of, for example, the speed of the wheel.

In general, the wheel assembly with the wheel brake can be set up according to existing solutions. That is, the wheel hub can be connected to a rim that supports a tire. The brake disc can be attached to the wheel hub and/or to an axle component that is also connected to the wheel hub. The wheel hub, rim and brake disc are preferably coupled to one another at least indirectly for common rotation about a common axis of rotation. Although the fan may be connected to one of these components via its coupling part and in particular fixed thereto, the blade arrangement may rotate relative thereto, e.g. B. by being driven at an individual speed.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drive unit for driving the blade arrangement is designed to generate an air flow with which braking noises from the wheel brake can be damped. In other words, the speed of the blade arrangement can be adjusted in such a way that noise suppression, in particular with regard to squeaking noises, is achieved.

It is generally preferable that the direction of the generated airflow is inwards, i. H. into the vehicle and not into the environment. For example, the generated air flow can be directed away from a rim of the wheel being braked by the wheel brake and instead preferably directed towards the wheel brake. It may flow generally along and/or parallel to an axis of rotation of the fan or wheel.

According to one example, the drive means is selectively and/or temporarily activatable to generate the rotation. The selective activation may depend on at least one operational parameter of the vehicle. You can e.g. B. done selectively when the operating parameter meets an activation condition. If not activated, the vane assembly may not be powered and will not rotate.

Through the targeted control of the drive unit and thus the fan, the fan can only be turned when necessary to suppress noise.

This is advantageous in terms of energy consumption and avoids unnecessary air resistance, for example.

The operating parameter can be an activation state of the wheel brake. The drive unit activation condition may be met when the activation state is present. In other words, the fan can be rotated selectively when the wheel brake is activated.

Additionally or alternatively, the operating parameter can be a movement parameter of the vehicle, in particular a vehicle speed or a vehicle acceleration. Vehicle acceleration may also include negative accelerations indicative of the magnitude of applied braking forces. The activation condition of the drive unit can be met when the vehicle speed of the vehicle acceleration (in particular an absolute value thereof) exceeds a defined threshold value. This threshold value can indicate a total amount of braking forces at which the risk of unacceptable braking noise emissions increases.

In general, the speed of the fan can at least correspond to the speed that a vehicle wheel assumes at a driving speed of between 20 km/h and 80 km/h. It has been shown that this is advantageous in order to suppress squeaking noises, which are found to be particularly annoying at these driving speeds (e.g. due to the driving speeds typical of inner-city traffic). Nevertheless, the fan can be set up, at least in principle, to rotate independently of the speed of rotation of the wheel, as is generally described here.

According to another embodiment, the wheel brake includes a brake disc and a vehicle wheel coupled to the wheel brake includes a rim, wherein the vane assembly can be positioned between the brake disc and the rim (e.g., when viewed along a rotation of the fan, the wheel and the brake disc) . This enables a compact design, since the usual free space between the rim and the brake disc is used.

In one example, the coupling part can be coupled (or coupled) to an inside of the rim or to the wheel brake, in particular to its brake disk. This connection can include the establishment of a mechanical connection between the said parts and in particular the attachment of the coupling part to the rim or to the brake disc.

The coupling to the brake disk can take place at a central part of the brake disk, which can be connected or is connected to a wheel hub. In known configurations, this middle part project axially with respect to the rest of the brake disc. An outer peripheral surface of the axially protruding center part can serve as a seat to which the coupling part of the fan can be coupled. The axially protruding middle part can also be referred to as a brake disc hat: (German: Brems disc pot)

The array of vanes may be configured to transition between a first configuration in which the array of vanes has a first (preferably greater) radial extent and a second configuration in which the array of vanes has a second (preferably smaller) radial extent can, wherein the first and the second radial extent are different. In other words, the blade arrangement can be hinged or collapsible, in particular radially hinged. The folded state may correspond to the second configuration described above. The uncollapsed (i.e., deployed) condition may correspond to the first configuration described above.

The folded state (i.e., the second configuration) may be provided when the fan is not driven. The unfolded state and the first configuration can be provided in driving the blower. Similar to the optional selective activation of the drive unit, the blade arrangement can be extended selectively and/or temporarily (radially). The extension may be activated when the power unit is activated and/or in similar cases of selective activation of the power unit as described above. Accordingly, the extension can also take place depending on the above-mentioned operating parameters and/or activation conditions.

In order to switch between the first and the second configuration, the vanes of the vane arrangement can be folded in and out. Additionally or alternatively, they may be rotated (e.g., in a first direction) to assume an erect (first) configuration and rotated (e.g., in an opposite direction) to assume a prone (second) configuration. In the latter case, the blades can be at an angle to the radial direction of e.g. B. run more than 20 ° and up to 90 °. Additionally or alternatively, the vanes may be radially extended and retracted by linear motion and/or by a telescoping mechanism.

The blade assembly may include at least one actuator (preferably one actuator per blade) to transition between the first and second configurations.

By selectively extending or raising the blades, the air resistance of the fan is reduced. Also, its size and visibility can be reduced when it is not activated. This may be preferable in terms of appearance.

Another aspect is that the fan can collect the brake dust emitted by the wheel brake. For this purpose, at least part of the surface z. B. the blade assembly have a coating to which the brake dust can adhere (z. B. an adhesive coating). In this way, the environmental impact is reduced. The fan (especially its blades) can be replaced when a significant amount of brake dust has accumulated to restore its dust holding capacity.

• - ein Fahrzeugrad (z. B. mit einer Felge und einem Reifen);
• - eine Radbremse;
• - ein Gebläse gemäß einem der hier offengelegten Aspekte.

The invention also relates to a vehicle wheel assembly comprising:

• - a vehicle wheel (e.g. having a rim and a tire);
• - a wheel brake;
• - a fan according to any of the aspects disclosed herein.

For example, the fan and in particular at least one blade arrangement can be arranged between the vehicle wheel and the wheel brake (in particular a brake disc) viewed along an axis of rotation of the wheel.

The vehicle wheel and at least part of the wheel brake (e.g. a brake disc) can be attached to a common wheel hub or to a common axle component. The wheel hub or axle component can be part of the vehicle wheel assembly.

• - einem Rad oder einer Radnabe des Fahrzeugs, das/die mit der Radbremse gekoppelt ist;
• - einem drehbaren Bauteil der Radbremse, insbesondere einer Bremsscheibe.

Furthermore, a method for operating a fan for a wheel brake of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the fan comprises a blade arrangement for generating an air flow, the method comprising: generating a rotation of the blade arrangement relative to (and thus at least partially independent of) at least one of:

• - a wheel or a wheel hub of the vehicle, which is coupled to the wheel brake;
• - A rotatable component of the wheel brake, in particular a brake disc.

The method may include any further steps and measures disclosed herein, e.g. B. in connection with a selective activation of the power unit and / or a selective deployment of the vane assembly. The generation of Relative rotation is tantamount to setting a fan speed independent (at least in part) of the wheel, wheel hub or rotatable component of the wheel brake, as described above, and carries with it the same advantages.

The features of the present invention can be advantageously combined with other known features for reducing brake noise.

• 1 ist eine Querschnittsansicht einer Fahrzeugradanordnung mit einem Gebläse gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel.
• 2 ist eine Querschnittsansicht einer Fahrzeugradanordnung mit einem Gebläse gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.
• 3 ist eine Ansicht eines Gebläses gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel, wenn es eine radial zusammengeklappte Konfiguration annimmt.
• 4 ist eine Ansicht des Gebläses gemäß dem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel, wenn es eine radial ausgefahrene Konfiguration annimmt.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which the same features are provided with the same reference numbers.

• 1 14 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly with a fan according to a first embodiment.
• 2 12 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly with a fan according to a second embodiment.
• 3 12 is a view of a fan according to a third embodiment when assuming a radially folded configuration.
• 4 12 is a view of the fan when assuming a radially expanded configuration according to the third embodiment.

In the cross-sectional view of 1 1, a rim 10 of a vehicle wheel assembly 12 and a wheel brake 14 of the vehicle wheel assembly 12 are shown. The wheel brake 14 is a disc brake. It consists of a brake disc 16 and a floating caliper 18 and other components, not shown, such. B. Brake pads.

The rim 10 and wheel brake 14 may have well-known configurations. Accordingly, they touch each other via an axially running central part 20 ′ of the wheel brake 14 which touches an inside of the rim 10 . In a manner well known in the art, bolts (not shown) may be passed through through holes (not shown) extending through the rim 10 and center member 20' to connect these components to a wheel hub. A position of the wheel hub, not shown, is marked with reference number 13 .

In the 1 and 2 the wheel assemblies 12 are only partially shown. Specifically, only an upper part is shown with respect to an axis of rotation R of the rim 10 and the brake disc 16 . The components 10, 16 are preferably rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation R. All references to axial and radial directions relate to the axis of rotation R, with the radial directions running orthogonally thereto.

In 1 1, a fan 20 is shown, which is arranged in a space between an inner side of the rim 10 and an outer side of the brake disc 16. The terms "inboard" and "outboard" refer to an orientation of the wheel assembly 12 on and with respect to a vehicle. In 1 shows a left side of the rim 10 outward and a left end of the axis of rotation R outward, while a right side of the brake disc 16 (and a right end of the axis of rotation R) points inward

The fan 20 includes a coupling part 22. This coupling part 22 is designed, for example, as a sleeve-shaped element that is pushed onto a part 24 of the rim 10 that protrudes axially and inward. Accordingly, an inner peripheral surface of the coupling part 22 touches an outer peripheral surface of the rim 10, in the example shown the corresponding part 24 of the rim 10.

The connection between the coupling part 22 and the rim 10 preferably includes an additional mechanical fastening between these components, e.g. B. by screws. In general, the coupling part 22 is not rotatable with respect to the rim 10 but rotates together with it.

It should be noted that in 1 (but also in 2 ) the fan 20 is rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation R.

The blower 20 in 1 also includes a vane assembly 26, of which a vane 28 in 1 is visible. Preferably, at least three or four vanes 28 are provided, spaced equiangularly or circumferentially from one another.

The blade arrangement 26 is connected to the coupling part 22 via a drive unit 30 of the fan 20 . The drive unit 30 is designed, for example, as an annular element that connects an outer peripheral surface of the coupling part 22 to the blades 28 of the blade arrangement 26 .

In the example shown, the drive unit 30 consists of an electric motor. The electric motor preferably has an inner stator-outer rotor configuration, with the stator preferably being attached to the coupling member 22 and the rotor preferably being attached to the blades 28.

The drive unit 30 is set up to rotate the blades 28 about the axis of rotation R. The rotational speed of the blades 28 can be a be made to differ from the rotational speed of the rim 10 and brake disc 16. That is, the vanes 28 can rotate relative to the rim 10 and wheel brake 14 . This may be referred to as fan 20 rotating independently of wheel brake assembly 12 rotation. In other words, at least part of the speed of the fan 20 is generated by the drive unit 30 independently of a speed of the rim 10 and the wheel brake 14 .

In the example shown, the vanes 28 are rotated to create an airflow A directed inwardly toward the brake disc 16 and away from the rim 10 . In addition, the speed of the vanes 28 is adjusted to produce an airflow A strong enough to achieve the desired effect of noise suppression of brake squeal and particularly the dominant acoustic frequencies associated with anticipated brake squeal. The relationship between the amount of airflow A required (and hence the speed of rotation of the vanes 28) to achieve a desired noise suppression effect can be determined experimentally or by simulation.

The drive unit 30 includes a control unit (not shown). Data signals can be transmitted via slip rings (not shown) from a data bus of the vehicle to data lines which are attached to the wheel rim 10 (not shown) and connected to the control unit of the drive unit 30 . Likewise, the electrical energy can be transmitted to the drive unit 30 via such a slip ring and such electrical lines (not shown).

The control unit of the drive unit 30 selectively activates the drive unit to rotate the blades 28 when it receives an appropriate activation signal via the data link described above. Alternatively, based on other data received over the data link, e.g. B. data on operating parameters of the vehicle, determine that an activation condition is met. These can, for example, indicate an activation of the wheel brake 14 and/or a negative vehicle acceleration above a defined threshold value.

As a further advantageous effect, the air flow A--preferably generated only selectively (i.e. when the wheel brake 14 is actuated)--also ensures a cooling effect on the brake disc 16. Brake dust can also be prevented from escaping into the environment. For example, the vanes 28 or an outer surface of the brake disc 16 may be at least partially coated with an adhesive to which brake dust adheres.

2 12 shows an alternative configuration of the fan 20 with the remaining components of the wheel assembly 12 opposed 1 remain unchanged. Here, too, the fan 20 comprises a radially extending blade arrangement 26, of which a blade 28 in 2 you can see. In addition, a drive unit 30, which is similar to the drive unit 30 in 1 works, the blades 28 with a coupling part 22.

In contrast to 1 the coupling part 22 is coupled to the disc brake 16 and is preferably mechanically fastened. In concrete terms, an inner peripheral surface of the again annular or sleeve-shaped coupling part 22 is connected to an outer peripheral surface of the axially protruding central part 20' of the brake disc 16 (also referred to as a brake cap or pot in technical jargon). Here too, data signals and electrical energy for the drive unit 30 can be supplied via slip rings (not shown).

In the 3 and 4 Various configurations of a fan 20 are shown. The blower 20 can in any of the embodiments of 1 and 2 , but can also be used independently.

The fan 20 is shown with the axis of rotation R toward the viewer (ie, orthogonal to the plane of the image). For the sake of simplicity only, the drive unit 30 and the connecting portion 22 are shown as a common annular member. Four blades 28 are distributed along an outer peripheral surface of the power unit 30 . The blades 28 take in 3 a collapsed or radially retracted configuration. To make this possible, they each have a rotatable joint 34. The rotatable joints 34 are each equipped with an electric motor and thus form actuators for retracting and extending the blades 28.

In particular, the pivots 34 can circumferentially rotate a radially outer portion of the airfoils 28 to transition between the illustrated folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. This is for a radially outer section 29 in 3 illustrated by a corresponding arrow C. When rotated to assume the uncollapsed condition, the vanes 28 may have a substantially linear, unfolded shape.

In 4 the respective vanes 28 are shown in their uncollapsed configuration. It is evident that their radial extension compared to the folded configuration of FIG 3 is bigger. For convenience only, the pivot joints are 34 in 4 not shown. Also, compared to 3 an area of the blades 28 facing the viewer is enlarged. This can be achieved by additionally rotating the blades 28 about an axis B, which for one of the blades 28 in 4 is specified. However, this is only an optional feature. The invention can be designed so that the folding and unfolding by means of the rotary joints 34 of 3 represents the only possibility to change a configuration of the blades 28 with regard to their extension and/or orientation.

Deployment of the vanes 28 from their radially collapsed configuration occurs upon activation of the wheel brake 14 and in preparation for activation of the power unit 30. Thus, when the fan 20 is not being rotated, it assumes the collapsed or stowed configuration. This helps to reduce drag and gives the fan 20 a compact - and therefore desirable - appearance.

Reference List

10

rim

12

vehicle wheel assembly

14

wheel brake

16

brake disc

18

caliper

20

fan

20'

center part

22

coupling part

24

axial part

26

blade arrangement

28

shovel

29

upper blade part

30

drive unit

34

rotating joint

A

airflow

B

optional axis of rotation of blades

C

Folding movement of blades 28

R

axis of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102018216346 A [0004]

Claims (11)

Fan (20) for a wheel brake (14) of a vehicle, the fan (20) comprising: - a coupling part (22) for coupling the blower (20) to the vehicle; - a vane arrangement (26) which is rotatable relative to the coupling part (22) in order to generate an air flow (A); and - a drive unit (30) for rotating the vane assembly (26). blower (20) after claim 1 , characterized in that the drive unit (30) is set up to drive the blade arrangement (26) at a speed that differs from a speed of at least one of the following elements: - a wheel (11) or a wheel hub (13) of the vehicle , which are coupled to the wheel brake (14); - A rotatable component of the wheel brake (14), in particular a brake disc (16). blower (20) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the drive unit (30) for driving the blade arrangement (26) for generating an air flow (A) is formed, with the braking noise of the wheel brake (14) can be at least partially dampened. Fan (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (30) for generating the rotation can be activated selectively, the selective activation depending on at least one operating parameter of the vehicle. blower (20) after claim 4 , characterized in that the operating parameter is one of the following: - an activation state of the wheel brake (14); - A movement parameter of the vehicle, in particular a vehicle speed or a vehicle acceleration. Fan (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel brake (14) has a brake disc (16) and a vehicle wheel (11) coupled to the wheel brake (14) has a rim (10), the blade arrangement (16 ) between the brake disc (16) and the rim (10) can be arranged. blower (20) after claim 6 , characterized in that the coupling part (22) can be coupled to an inside of the rim (10) or to the brake disc (16). A fan (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blade array (26) is arranged between a first configuration in which the blade array (26) has a first radial extent and a second configuration in which the blade array ( 26) has a second radial extent, the first and second radial extents being different. Fan (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fan (20) is designed to collect the brake dust emitted by the wheel brake (14). A vehicle wheel assembly (12) comprising: - a vehicle wheel (11); - a wheel brake (14); - A fan (20) according to any one of the preceding claims. Method for operating a fan (20) for a wheel brake (14) of a vehicle, the fan (20) comprising a blade assembly (26) for generating an air flow (A), the method comprising: generating a rotation of the blade assembly (26) relative to at least one of the following: - A wheel (11) or a wheel hub (13) of the vehicle, which is coupled to the wheel brake (14); - A rotatable component of the wheel brake (14), in particular a brake disc (16).

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